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Last Thursday, on a beautiful Pre-Summer Solstice night, United4Defense was proud to welcome Guest Speaker, CEO of Neurala and founding Director of the Neuromorphics Lab at Boston University, Massimiliano Versace. Presenting his company’s latest advances in brain-based computing for robots with a special focus on their relevance in supporting advanced autonomous behavior for both land and aerial vehicles, such as drones, Max dove right in to the fascinating and interactive discussion explaining how robots can use passive sensors to emulate what biological systems already do, subsequently providing for a completely hands-free robotic system. The live demonstrations Max performed left guests in attendance in awe as we watched Neurala’s software correctly identify common objects such as magazines and wine through an iPad camera in mere minutes by learning them and comparing them to other similar items it had learned in the past. The software application was incredibly easy-to-use as witnessed by several non-familiar volunteers who were eager to grab the iPad and start “teaching” the robots for themselves.

In such a short amount of time, it was awe-inspiring to see the work Neurala has come up with to improve autonomous systems’ effectiveness, adaptability and responsiveness, no doubt a true testament to Max and his dedicated and passionate team. All of us at United4Defense would like to thank Max Versace for a riveting demonstration and discussion and look forward to hearing about all the incredible work Neurala does in the future.

Thanks as well to our guests who attended and created a lively and fun environment.

Until Next Month!

-The U4D Boston Team

Deep Learning for Bots!

Everyone gathered to take a better look at the incredible demo of robot deep learning!

Last night, as rain fell washing away more of the massive snow piles that have littered the streets of Boston this winter, United4Defense held our March event in our new location at the CIC building in Downtown Boston. We were ecstatic to welcome our esteemed guest speaker, Paul Jensen, CEO of Halo Maritime Defense Systems of Newton, NH. Jensen talked passionately about the trials and tribulations of a start up based on his own experiences and shared his company’s fascinating maritime barrier technology for critical infrastructure protection with the group. He highlighted the impressive, eco-friendly technology that is capable of stopping a boat dead in its tracks. The successes the company has seen in such a short amount of time lend credence to Jensen and his team’s obvious dedication to their work. All of us at U4D would like to again thank Paul Jensen for his inspiring presentation and words of wisdom to all small businesses and start ups in the defense/security sectors. We look forward to continue seeing what the future has in store for Paul and his group at Halo!

Special thanks to all our guests who braved the rain and joined in on this lively talk as well as to Greg and the Dumpling Truck for their fabulous snacks!

Happy Holidays to all of our United4Defense members! Just a friendly reminder to please fill out our United4Defense Community Survey if you have not already. We value your feedback and ideas in maintaing the continued future success of our monthly events for everyone! Thank you for your time and we look forward to seeing you all back at our next event on January 22nd at 6pm! For more information or if you have any questions please email us at united4defense@gmail.com!

We here at U4D would like to thank everyone for braving the cold weather to attend our November event! We are especially greatful to our wonderful guest speaker Vikram Mittal! Vikram’s presentation highlighted the energy challenges that individual soldiers face in the field, and what he and others are developing to combat those challenges. Check out our photos and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, & LinkedIn

We cannot thank everyone enough for your continued support and input at our events each month. We wish you all a Happy Holiday and look forward to seeing you and welcoming new faces in the new year! Mark your calendars for our next event kicking off on January 22nd at 6pm. All events are free and open to the public and are held every third Thursday of the month. For more information or to pre-register for any of our events please contact us at u4dboston@gmail.com

U4D would like to extend a very special thank you to our wonderful guest speaker Bob Kinder! Your presentation on the evolution of the Joint Special Operations Command was not only informative, but also helped to enhance our understanding of both past and present military actions. Thank you to everyone who attended the event (despite the bad weather). This month our group dined on exotic cheeses, meats, and of course great drinks! Check out our photos and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, & LinkedIn.We here at U4D greatly appreciate everyone’s continued support and look forward to seeing everyone again at our next event November 20th at 6pm. All events are held every third Thursday of the month! For more information or to pre-register for any of our events please contact us at u4dboston@gmail.com!

Defense Networking Group in Kendall Square Celebrates Two Year Anniversary

Local networking group United4Defense celebrated its two year anniversary last month and will be holding its next monthly meeting on October 23rd in Kendall Square.

Cambridge, MA (PRWEB) September 30, 2014 — Last month United4Defense, a Kendall Square-based defense technology networking group celebrated its two year anniversary of its founding. Since 2012, the group has consistently been holding monthly meetings at the CIC building in Kendall Square in an effort to bring together professionals, scientists, and students from the surrounding labs, military bases, schools and businesses in a casual atmosphere to share ideas, network and promote innovation, collaboration and education within the defense sphere.

The first United4Defense event showcased Bedford-based robotics giant iRobot and has since welcomed many other notable Boston technology companies including: The Soldier Natick Lab (Natick), Boston Engineering (Waltham) and Draper Labs (Cambridge) among many others. From its small beginnings, United4Defense has emerged to become a customary monthly event for its many local members, even playing host to a few “Innovation Fairs” which the group organized to spotlight emerging defense companies and technologies in a small tradeshow atmosphere. As United4Defense attendee and exhibitor Michael Quan said, “For the past two years, U4D has been an important nexus for small, innovative companies, large defense firms, federal laboratories, and civilian defense employees. The monthly events cover a range of topics from drones to cyber security to sensors and draw on the deep expertise natural to the Greater Boston area. My company, Interactive Tactical Group, has made important connections through U4D, and we look forward to attending each monthly meeting”. Beyond striving to offer their peers in the defense industry an outlet to come together in the Boston area, United4Defense wishes to bridge the gap between the larger system integrators and the small business innovators in order to cultivate inclusion and progress for our nation’s security.

This month, at their October 23rd event, United4Defense is proud to welcome acclaimed local speaker and veteran, Bob Kinder. Bob’s twenty years of experience in both the US Air Force and Army Special Operations has made him an expert on America’s most critical security issues today. As co-founder of United4Defense, Katie Shea states, “We’re so excited to have Bob Kinder as our next presenter for United4Defense, he will be educating us on the history of the Joint Special Operations Command and how the counter terror organization was transformed in the age of Al Qaeda as well as the vital role that technology played in this important battle”. As is the case with all their meetings, United4Defense will provide some great local and seasonal food and drinks and all are welcome to join in this networking event with a great presentation and open conversation followed afterwards.

About United4Defense: United4Defense is a networking organization founded in 2012 in Cambridge, Massachusetts by a group of professionals dedicated to the promotion of innovation within the defense industry. United4Defense aims to build long-lasting connections between big businesses and small start-ups in the defense industry that otherwise might not have the opportunity to meet and to cultivate an inclusive culture of education, collaboration and innovation. United4Defense meets monthly at the CIC building in Kendall Square; to stay up to date on all their future events please visit their website: http://www.united4defense.com.
Contact: Katie Shea, co-founder, United4Defense: u4dboston(at)gmail(dot)com

We had a great time with our guest speaker, Professor Mike Ahern of Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Mike discussed with us the importance of education and proper training of employees to proactively combat detrimental security risks to companies. Our diverse group gathered over authentic southern cuisine, wine, and a fantastic view of Cambridge to network and share experiences, and knowledge on what is a rapidly growing concern for companies in the technologically savvy society we live in. Check out our photos to see all the fun we had! If you missed this event please catch us at our next one October 23rd at 6pm and every third Thursday of the month! For more information and to pre-register for our next event please contact us at u4dboston@gmail.com!

We’d like to once again, thank all of our 2014 Innovation Fair sponsors, exhibiting companies, and attendees who made this year’s event truly a success! The Venture Cafe at the CIC building set the stage for a great night filled with new and exciting innovation from local defense technology start ups, engaging conversations and meaningful connections, amazing Thai food and cold beverages and even a surprise guest appearance by Congressman Patrick McHenry from North Carolina.

Please enjoy and re-live the night by watching our short Innovation Fair Wrap up Video! We’re already looking forward to next year’s!

Prior to the Fair, there will be an exciting opportunity for attendees to meet and talk with Michael Kuhlman, Ph.D for Battelle National Security from 5-6 PM at the CIC’s 14th floor, Charles meeting room.

Following United4Defense’s creed, attendance will be free and some great local food and beverages will be provided.

We had a wonderful time with our guest speaker, CyberSheath CEO Eric Noonan, as he discussed the new DFARS regulations and cyber security. A diverse and tech-passionate crowd mingled, shared ideas, technology trends and laughs while dining on complimentary quesadillas and margaritas against a glowing Boston backdrop. Check out our photos to see all the fun! Don’t worry if you missed this event, we host one every month! Stay up to date by registering with us at u4dboston@gmail.com!

Join us Thurs. April 24th for an evening of networking, free food and drinks and a discussion on Cyber Security! Register for free by emailing us at u4dboston@gmail.com or simply fill out the required fields in the contact sheet below!